Chapter 105 Give Us Some Face

The moon, like a hook, shines obliquely on the bamboo building.

Inside the room, an incense burner burned, its delicate smoke filling the air.

At this moment, Ji An sat cross-legged on the futon, circulating the Green Wood Everlasting Spring Technique. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth was drawn into his body through his nose and flowed through his immortal meridians.

When the spiritual energy passes through the Yuquan and Yongquan acupoints, the Dao seed flickers with a barely perceptible spiritual light, and its aura becomes slightly different.

After circulating his energy through the body for one full cycle, drops of magical power flowed into his dantian, causing the stone tortoise's back to flash with azure light, absorbing thirty percent of it.

Ji Anxin remained calm and still as she circulated her internal energy again and again.

He stopped when he felt a slight swelling and pain in his immortal meridians, opened his eyes to look at the hourglass, and found that two and a half hours had passed.

He sighed inwardly, "They say that cultivating immortality transcends time, and one is unaware of the years when awake."

He's only at the early Foundation Establishment stage now, and it takes him this long to meditate and circulate his energy. I wonder how long it would take a cultivator at the Chaoyuan stage to meditate and circulate their energy.

Above the Chaoyuan realm, there are many other realms such as Golden Core and Nascent Soul. The road ahead is long and uncertain, and it is unknown when it will end.

A sense of loneliness rose in Ji An's heart. He pushed open the window, gazed at the clear, cold crescent moon, and remained silent for a long time.

The Tao is boundless; perhaps it has no end at all.

The night breeze rustled through the leaves, and the chirping of insects added to the serene atmosphere.

"Hehe," he chuckled softly, raising his eyebrows slightly.

"Looking at the mountain from below, it seems unscalable; looking at the mountain from within, one feels confused and bewildered; looking at the mountain from above, it presents a myriad of magnificent sights."

If others can reach those lofty realms, why can't I?!

Being able to come to this world of cultivation, with the stone tortoise by his side, gives him a much brighter future than most people. How fortunate he is!

Ji An sat cross-legged on the futon again and took out the jade slip to study the Jade Wood Transformation Technique.

Clearly, this spell leans towards the Way of Wood. If one can condense a seed of Wood, the harmony of Yin and Yang will make it easier to comprehend the true meaning of the Wood element's primordial energy.

About an hour later, he stepped out of the bamboo house. The moonlight was cool and refreshing, and wisps of cold air swept over him, instantly invigorating him.

He made a hand seal, and the hazy moonlight outlined the blurry shadow of his palm.

The magical power flowed in the immortal veins in a specific way. As the spell was completed, emerald green spiritual light shimmered and scattered, like countless stars falling to earth.

A soft, ethereal light clung to the wild grasses and thorns, seeping into them in an instant. The narrow leaves shone with a jade-green luster, like clusters of celestial herbs swaying and shining, visibly growing an inch or so taller.

Compared to the Withering and Flourishing Technique, which plunders the spiritual energy of plants and then feeds back to them, this spell focuses on using one's own magical power to generate the vibrant life force of the wood element to supply the growth of plants.

Ji An squinted, carefully recalling the lingering effects of the spell, and then focused his mind on his dantian.

The stone tortoise floated on the sea of ​​magic power, like a small boat, with flowing light appearing on its shell.

[Spell: Azure Wood Transformation Technique (Beginner 1%)]

With abundant Kan and Kun spirits, one can refine spiritual energy and rapidly improve it after mastering the Spring Breeze and Rain Technique and the Thick Earth Returning to Origin Mantra.

With these three spells at your disposal, you will be able to plant spiritual herbs and cultivate spiritual fruit trees with greater ease.

However, it is already late at night, and if we study two more Foundation Establishment stage spells, we will have to stay up all night. We will postpone the practice for a few days.

He also needed to practice an offensive spell, and after being reminded by his senior uncle Zhu from the Transmission Hall, he decided to practice the Golden Light Spell.

However, to study the Golden Light Technique, one must first master the Golden Armor Technique, which should allow one to condense a Dao Seed of Yin Metal Attribute.

The Sharp Metal Technique represents the Yang aspect of the Metal element, while the Golden Armor Technique represents the Yin aspect of the Metal element.

The Golden Light Technique can transform metal elemental energy into light blades to attack enemies, or it can condense metal elemental energy into armor to protect oneself.

From this perspective, the Golden Light Spell is actually a more 'complete' spell, thus capable of both offense and defense.

Ji An returned to the bamboo house, took out the magic jade slip he had bought many years ago, placed it on his forehead, found the Golden Armor, and began to silently recite the incantation, pondering how to cast the spell.

This is just a basic spell; with your current knowledge, it won't take much time to learn it.

Fifteen minutes later, he tried the hand seal twice, and a faint golden spiritual light covered his body.

He flicked his finger lightly, feeling as if he were striking a hard object, but the movement of his finger joints was not affected at all, which was truly amazing.

Ji An once again focused his mind on his dantian, connecting with the stone tortoise.

[Spell: Golden Armor (Beginner 1%)]

"Refine the spiritual energy to enhance the Golden Armor Technique."

As he silently recited the mantra, his consciousness entered the mysterious space of the stone tortoise and transformed into a blurry shadow, appearing on the Dui position.

The area of ​​the tortoise shell he was standing on had changed, as if it had been cast in gold, something that had never happened before.

It seems that the stone turtle has undergone a deeper change as its cultivation level has changed.

The insights gained from practicing magic flowed through his mind, and his spiritual energy was quickly depleted, freezing the upgrade of the Golden Armor Technique.

[Spell: Golden Armor (Beginner 1% → 6%)]

The stone turtle's ability to refine spiritual energy can rapidly enhance his comprehension of magic, thus giving him more time to study cultivation techniques and improve his cultivation level.

"Refine the spiritual energy to enhance the Azure Wood Transformation Technique."

Ji An noticed that greenery was emerging from both the Zhen and Xun positions at the same time. The color of the Zhen position was lighter but brighter, while the color of the Xun position was deeper and slightly darker green.

The phantom formed from divine consciousness simultaneously stepped in two directions and began practicing the spell.

The Zhen spirit and Xun spirit are constantly being consumed, with the Zhen spirit being consumed more slowly and the Xun spirit being consumed much faster.

When the spiritual energy was exhausted, the phantom slowly dissipated, and Ji An's consciousness returned to his body, his understanding of the spell lingering in his mind.

[Spell: Azure Wood Transformation Technique (Beginner 1% → Minor Success 2%)]

His brows furrowed slightly. The stone tortoise didn't absorb much Xun spirit each day, and even less Zhen spirit. It wasn't easy for him to improve his Azure Wood Transformation Technique quickly.

However, his expression immediately relaxed. The improvement he had made in that short moment would have taken other cultivators at least one or two years to achieve.

The Azure Wood Transformation Technique is, after all, a Foundation Establishment stage spell. What more could he ask for than such a rapid improvement?

Nothing was said that night, and I slept soundly through the night.

The following day, Ji An brought Ling Nong, who was to take over his work, to the herb garden and instructed him:

"Old Xiang, stop what you're doing, take the men for a walk, and discuss how to allocate tasks in the future."

He turned to the newlyweds and said:

"You should get to know Lao Xiang for the next few days. When my master has time, I will take you to see her."

"Thank you for your care, Uncle-Master."

Ji An nodded slightly, letting the two go aside to discuss, and began to use the Jade Wood Transformation Technique.

If there's no inspiration to refine, then practice more; it's just a matter of grinding away.

The two men gazed at the emerald green specks falling like stardust, their eyes filled with longing.

Five days later.

Ji An activated the magic seal and stepped into the courtyard, where he had just completed the spell in the spirit field.

He inspected the growth of the spirit fruit tree and the fire cloud ginseng, revealing a smile that was hard to decipher.

Plans can't keep up with changes. His initial intention in planting this spiritual plant was to use it as collateral to "borrow" a sum of spirit stones from a senior brother or sister to make up for the difference in exchanging for Foundation Establishment Pills.

Now that he has successfully established his foundation and is preparing to leave, the spiritual medicine is still four or five years away from being fully mature.

Ji An chuckled. The spirit fruit tree needed to be transplanted, and the Fire Cloud Ginseng needed to find a new owner, otherwise he would have to come here every few days.

It could at least fetch five or six hundred spirit stones, so I wouldn't abandon it no matter what.

He made a hand seal, and a rain of emerald green light fell down, turning the courtyard into a sea of ​​light under the sunlight, like a dream.

The leaves of the two spirit fruit trees looked as if they had been washed by the rain, appearing even greener.

After standing still for a few breaths, Ji An changed the hand seals in his hands and cast the Flame Fire Spell. The courtyard was filled with the rising spiritual energy of fire, as if it were steaming or boiling.

The leaves of the spiritual plant unfurled and swayed gently, seemingly conveying joy.

When wood flourishes, fire thrives. He closed his eyes and used his divine sense to perceive the transformation of vital energy.

After a moment, Ji An used the Lesser Cloud Rain technique to close the magical restrictions and rode away on a gray-feathered sand goose.

When he returned to Ningcui Cliff, he found two unexpected guests beside the bamboo building.

"Haha, junior brother, we've been waiting for you for a long time."

Zhu Qinghao cupped his hands and smiled, recognizing Ji An based on his vague memory.

When he met this disciple of his master a few years ago, he did not expect the other party to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage so quickly, and he did not show any closeness at the time.

Although they met a few more times afterward, they never exchanged magical imprints.

Unexpectedly, when he needed to contact the other party, he couldn't reach them through the communication talisman and could only wait helplessly. The long wait made him quite impatient.

"Second Brother, your presence is an honor. I am sorry for not welcoming you sooner."

Ji An greeted him with a cupped-hand salute, pondering what the other person wanted to do.

Although they were fellow disciples from the same lineage, their cultivation levels had differed greatly in the past, and they had little to no friendship.

"Let me introduce you. This is Senior Brother Chen Xingyun, a member of the Chen family of Puyun Mountain."

"Senior Brother Chen, I've long admired you. My name is Ji An."

“Junior Brother Ji is young and promising. He has already established his foundation at a young age and is much stronger than me at present.”

"I don't deserve your praise, my two senior brothers are my role models."

Ji An smiled politely, made a hand seal to open the restriction, and extended his hand in invitation:

"Senior brothers, please come inside and have a talk."

After entering the bamboo house, the guests and hosts took their seats. He originally wanted to offer some spiritual tea to the guests, but then he realized that there were no tea sets, so it wouldn't be appropriate to use bowls to serve the tea.

That would be beneath mere class, so I decided to feign shabbiness and pretend I didn't know anything about hospitality.

Zhu Qinghao glanced around the room, a smile flashing in his eyes:

"Junior brother is dedicated to his cultivation, which I admire."

However, it's a bit austere here. My junior brother has already reached the Foundation Establishment stage. In a few days, I'll send someone to deliver some cultivation materials and a female cultivator to serve him.

Occasionally enjoying some relaxation might actually improve our practice efficiency.

The unsolicited offer of kindness made Ji An wary, and he politely declined:

“I am used to my current way of cultivation and I am afraid that indulging in pleasure will affect my cultivation. I cannot accept rewards without merit, so I appreciate your kind offer, senior brother.”

Who knows what kind of hook might be hidden in the delivered items, especially since we don't know each other well.

After a brief tug-of-war, the two stopped talking about it.

Zhu Qinghao coughed and said:

"Actually, I came here this time to discuss something with my junior brother."

Master Chen's family makes a living by refining weapons. They have shops in many markets in the Western Continent and have also rented the Crimson Flame Peak of the sect.

A few days ago, I received a notice from the Qin Gong Hall, ordering them to move out within two months.

I inquired and learned that it was my junior brother who chose that place as his cave dwelling. Junior brother, you may not know this, but the spiritual energy of Crimson Flame Peak is extremely intense; it is not an ideal place for cultivation.

Chen Xingyun replied in a gentle tone:

"I apologize for my intrusion, junior brother."

We have been operating on Crimson Flame Peak for many years and have developed several earth fire refining chambers, which require special second-order magic arrays to stabilize the earth fire.

If we relocate, those magic arrays will become completely useless, resulting in a huge loss. I wonder if I could ask you, Junior Brother, to reconsider your decision and choose another cave dwelling?

Before they arrived, they had secretly learned about Ji An's situation. Seeing that there was nothing of value in the room, they assumed that he might have chosen Crimson Flame Peak because he was after the ten acres of spirit fields that the sect had given him.

Chen Xingyun paused, his smile growing even more amiable:

"We won't let our junior brother suffer any loss. We're willing to offer a thousand spirit stones. What do you think?"

Ji An frowned. In other places, he would have accepted the benefit of a thousand spirit stones, but for him, the conditions at Crimson Flame Peak were unique, and the important thing was for the stone turtle to absorb spiritual energy.

He wouldn't give up even 10,000 spirit stones, let alone 1,000. Otherwise, where would he find another place where the five elements' spiritual energy converges?

"Please forgive me, senior brother, I am very satisfied with the cave dwelling there."

Chen Xingyun's eyes flickered slightly, and he said again:

"If you are not satisfied, we can add some more spirit stones, or you can suggest other conditions."

Ji An shook his head.

"1,500 spirit stones."

Ji An still shook his head:

"Please forgive me, senior brother."

Chen Xingyun's face darkened, and after a moment he said in a deep voice:

"Two thousand spirit stones."

"Senior brother, I truly love that place."

Zhu Qinghao spoke slowly:

“Junior brother, I’m tempted by two thousand spirit stones. Although the spiritual veins of Crimson Flame Peak are abundant, it can’t be called a treasure land for cultivation.”

That's about enough. Junior brother has just established his foundation, and it's the time when he needs to make good friends with his fellow disciples. It's easy to calculate whether you have more friends or more enemies, right?

"Give us some face, and your senior brother will remember your favor."

"I'm sorry, I can't comply."

Ji Anxin thought to himself, "If I give you face, I'll lose my substance."

Thank you everyone for your monthly votes, recommendations, and tips. I never expected to receive so much recognition. I will continue to work hard.

Some friends are worried about castration, but don't worry, you won't be castrated once you sign a contract.

(End of this chapter)